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Norante RP, Peggion C, Rossi D, Martorana F, De Mario A, Lia A, Massimino ML, Bertoli A. ALS-Associated SOD1(G93A) Decreases SERCA Pump Levels and Increases Store-Operated Ca 2+ Entry in Primary Spinal Cord Astrocytes from a Transgenic Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20205151. [PMID: 31627428 PMCID: PMC6829245 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective death of motor neurons (MNs), probably by a combination of cell- and non-cell-autonomous processes. The past decades have brought many important insights into the role of astrocytes in nervous system function and disease, including the implication in ALS pathogenesis possibly through the impairment of Ca2+-dependent astrocyte-MN cross-talk. In this respect, it has been recently proposed that altered astrocytic store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) may underlie aberrant gliotransmitter release and astrocyte-mediated neurotoxicity in ALS. These observations prompted us to a thorough investigation of SOCE in primary astrocytes from the spinal cord of the SOD1(G93A) ALS mouse model in comparison with the SOD1(WT)-expressing controls. To this purpose, we employed, for the first time in the field, genetically-encoded Ca2+ indicators, allowing the direct assessment of Ca2+ fluctuations in different cell domains. We found increased SOCE, associated with decreased expression of the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase and lower ER resting Ca2+ concentration in SOD1(G93A) astrocytes compared to control cells. Such findings add novel insights into the involvement of astrocytes in ALS MN damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Pia Norante
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Caterina Peggion
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Daniela Rossi
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA SB-IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Francesca Martorana
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri SpA SB-IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Agnese De Mario
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Annamaria Lia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | | | - Alessandro Bertoli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
- CNR-Neuroscience Institute, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
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De Mario A, Peggion C, Massimino ML, Norante RP, Zulian A, Bertoli A, Sorgato MC. The Link of the Prion Protein with Ca 2+ Metabolism and ROS Production, and the Possible Implication in Aβ Toxicity. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20184640. [PMID: 31546771 PMCID: PMC6770541 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is an ubiquitous cell surface protein mostly expressed in neurons, where it localizes to both pre- and post-synaptic membranes. PrPC aberrant conformers are the major components of mammalian prions, the infectious agents responsible for incurable neurodegenerative disorders. PrPC was also proposed to bind aggregated misfolded proteins/peptides, and to mediate their neurotoxic signal. In spite of long-lasting research, a general consensus on the precise pathophysiologic mechanisms of PrPC has not yet been reached. Here we review our recent data, obtained by comparing primary neurons from PrP-expressing and PrP-knockout mice, indicating a central role of PrPC in synaptic transmission and Ca2+ homeostasis. Indeed, by controlling gene expression and signaling cascades, PrPC is able to optimize glutamate secretion and regulate Ca2+ entry via store-operated channels and ionotropic glutamate receptors, thereby protecting neurons from threatening Ca2+ overloads and excitotoxicity. We will also illustrate and discuss past and unpublished results demonstrating that Aβ oligomers perturb Ca2+ homeostasis and cause abnormal mitochondrial accumulation of reactive oxygen species by possibly affecting the PrP-dependent downregulation of Fyn kinase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese De Mario
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Caterina Peggion
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Maria Lina Massimino
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Rosa Pia Norante
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Zulian
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Bertoli
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
- Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
| | - Maria Catia Sorgato
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
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Norante RP, Massimino ML, Lorenzon P, De Mario A, Peggion C, Vicario M, Albiero M, Sorgato MC, Lopreiato R, Bertoli A. Generation and validation of novel adeno-associated viral vectors for the analysis of Ca 2+ homeostasis in motor neurons. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6521. [PMID: 28747684 PMCID: PMC5529510 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06919-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A finely tuned Ca2+ homeostasis in restricted cell domains is of fundamental importance for neurons, where transient Ca2+ oscillations direct the proper coordination of electro-chemical signals and overall neuronal metabolism. Once such a precise regulation is unbalanced, however, neuronal functions and viability are severely compromised. Accordingly, disturbed Ca2+ metabolism has often been claimed as a major contributor to different neurodegenerative disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that is characterised by selective motor neuron (MN) damage. This notion highlights the need for probes for the specific and precise analysis of local Ca2+ dynamics in MNs. Here, we generated and functionally validated adeno-associated viral vectors for the expression of gene-encoded fluorescent Ca2+ indicators targeted to different cell domains, under the transcriptional control of a MN-specific promoter. We demonstrated that the probes are specifically expressed, and allow reliable local Ca2+ measurements, in MNs from murine primary spinal cord cultures, and can also be expressed in spinal cord MNs in vivo, upon systemic administration to newborn mice. Preliminary analyses using these novel vectors have shown larger cytosolic Ca2+ responses following stimulation of AMPA receptors in the cytosol of primary cultured MNs from a murine genetic model of ALS compared to the healthy counterpart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Pia Norante
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Lorenzon
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Department of Integrative Medical Biology (IMB), Umeå Universitet, 901 87, Umeå, SE, Sweden
| | - Agnese De Mario
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Caterina Peggion
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mattia Vicario
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mattia Albiero
- Department of Medicine, and Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Catia Sorgato
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,CNR Neuroscience Institute, Padova, Italy
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